Rapid exchange vena cava filter catheter and method of use

ABSTRACT

A rapid exchange catheter having a vena cava filter and a method for percutaneous delivery of the rapid exchange vena cava filter for use in indicated medical situations in which prophylactic or therapeutic protection against pulmonary embolism are indicated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/856,521, filed Sep. 16, 2015, which will issueas U.S. Pat. No. 10,154,893 Dec. 18, 2018; which claims priority fromU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/051,153, filed Sep. 16, 2014,herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains generally to medical catheters andmethods of percutaneous delivery of a catheter to a site within the bodyfor diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a rapid exchange catheter having a tethered orfixedly attached vena cava filter and a method for percutaneous deliveryof the rapid exchange vena cava filter for use in indicated medicalsituations in which prophylactic or therapeutic protection againstpulmonary embolism are indicated.

The accepted standard of care for patients with venous thromboembolism(VTE) is anticoagulant therapy. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters arereserved for those patients who fail anticoagulant therapy, or have acomplication or contraindication to anticoagulant therapy. Until theearly 1970's, the only method of IVC interruption was surgical, eitherby clipping, ligation or plication. The first clinical experience of anendoluminally-placed device to interrupt IVC flow was reported byMobin-Uddin et al. in 1969. However, it was not until the introductionof a stainless steel umbrella-type filter by Greenfield et al. in 1973that an effective method of endoluminally trapping emboli whilesimultaneously preserving IVC flow became possible. Indeed, for manyyears, the Greenfield filter set a benchmark by which newer filters weremeasured. Early generations of filters were inserted by surgicalcut-down and venotomy. Eventually filters were able to be insertedpercutaneously: initially through large 24 Fr sheaths, though newergenerations of filters are able to be delivered through 6 Fr systems.Percutaneous delivery through a 6 Fr introducer minimizes the likelihoodthat surgical intervention to close the access site will be requiredwhen the system is withdrawn from the patient.

Despite the safety and efficacy of modern day filters, systemicanticoagulation remains the primary treatment for VTE. Eitherunfractionated or low molecular weight heparin followed by three monthsof oral anticoagulation in patients with proximal deep venous thrombosis(DVT) is approximately 94% effective in preventing pulmonary embolism(PE) or recurrent DVT. The routine placement of IVC filters in additionto anticoagulation in patients with documented DVT was investigated byDecousus et al. in a randomized trial. Decousus H, Leizorovicz A, ParentF, et al. A clinical trial of vena caval filters in the prevention ofpulmonary embolism in patients with proximal deep-vein thrombosis. NEngl J Med 1998; 338:409-415. This study revealed that the use of apermanent filter in addition to heparin therapy significantly decreasedthe occurrence of PE within the first 12 days compared to those withouta filter. However, no effect was observed on either immediate orlong-term mortality, and by 2 years, the initial benefit seen in thegroup of patients with filters was offset by a significant increase inthe rate of recurrent DVT.

Despite the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy in the management of VTE,there are certain situations and conditions in which the benefits ofanticoagulation are outweighed by the risks of instituting such atherapy. These include contraindications and complications ofanticoagulant therapy. In such circumstances, there may be absolute orrelative indications for filter insertion.

Currently, there are several different types of U.S. Food and DrugAdministration (“FDA”) approved vena cava filters. These include theBird's Nest filter (Cook Incorporated, Bloomington, Ind.), Vena Tech LGMfilter (B. Braun, Bethlehem Pa.), Vena Tech LP (B. Braun), Simon Nitinolfilter (Bard, Covington, Ga.), Titanium Greenfield filter (BostonScientific, Natick Mass.), Over-the-Wire Greenfield filter (BostonScientific), TrapEase filter (Cordis Corp.) and the Gunther Tulip filter(Cook Inc.).

Well-founded concerns over the long-term complications of permanent IVCfilters, particularly in younger patients in need of PE prophylaxis witha temporary contraindication to anticoagulation, has led to thedevelopment of temporary and retrievable filters. Temporary filtersremain attached to an accessible transcutaneous catheter or wire. Thesehave been used primarily in Europe for PE prophylaxis duringthrombolytic therapy for DVT. Currently these devices are not approvedfor use in the United States. Retrievable filters are very similar inappearance to permanent filters, but with modifications to the cavalattachment sites and/or hooks at one end that can facilitate theirremoval. Retrievable filters that are currently available in the UnitedStates include the Gunther Tulip (Cook Inc.), Opt Ease (Cordis Corp.),and Recovery nitinol filters (Bard Peripheral Vascular, Tempe, Ariz.)Lin P H, et al., Vena caval filters in the treatment of acute DVT.Endovascular Today 2005; January: 40-50. The time limit ofretrievability is in part dependent on the rate of endothelialization ofthe device, which typically occurs within 2 weeks, but may occur withinfive days or as much as 30 days. However, differences in design mayextend the time period in which the filter may be safely retrieved.

Currently no consensus exists as to which patients have an indicationfor a retrievable filter. However, it is generally accepted thatpatients at high risk for pulmonary embolism or with documented PE andwith a temporary contraindication to anticoagulation are candidates.

Certain circumstances preclude the placement of a filter in theinfrarenal IVC. This includes thrombus extending into the infrarenalIVC, renal vein thrombosis or pregnancy. The safety of suprarenalplacement of IVC filters is well documented, with no reported instancesof renal dysfunction and no differences in the rates of filtermigration, recurrent PE or caval thrombosis.

Pulmonary embolism may complicate upper extremity DVT in 12-16% ofcases. In patients who have such a complication or contraindication toanticoagulation, a filter can be safely placed immediately below theconfluence of the brachiocephalic veins. However, misplacement of an SVCfilter is theoretically more likely than with an IVC filter because ofthe relatively short target area for deployment.

The most common imaging modality used for filter insertion isfluoroscopy, performed either in an interventional suite or an operatingroom. Bedside placement of filters has inherent advantages, particularlyfor critically ill patients in intensive care settings where transportcan be avoided. Portable fluoroscopy, surface duplex ultrasound andintravascular ultrasound (IVUS) have all been used to assist withbedside filter placement.

Vena cava filter placement frequently occurs concomitantly with centralaccess line placement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a central access catheter having a venacava filter at a distal end, a port proximal the filter and a portdistal the filter and plural infusion ports. Accordingly, it is anobjective of the present invention to provide a rapid exchange cathetercoupled to a vena cava filter that is useful both as a central venousaccess catheter for administration of intravenous fluids, bioactiveagents, contrast agents, flushing agents, pressurized fluids formechanical thrombolysis and/or withdrawal of blood samples and forcapture of thrombus or emboli.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a filter geometryin which the proximal portion of the filter, relative to the axis ofblood flow, has larger interstitial openings to permit thrombus orembolic material to flow into the filter, while the distal portion ofthe filter, again relative to the axis of blood flow, has relativelysmaller interstitial openings that capture the thrombus or embolicmaterial within the filter. Another way to view this aspect is that thestructure of the filter includes a greater open surface area exposed tothe flow of embolic material into the filter at its proximal end, whilethe distal end has smaller open surface area exposed to the flow ofembolic material to capture the embolic material in the distal end ofthe filter member.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide anasymmetrical vena cava filter in which the vena cava filter has a distalend that is asymmetrical relative to a proximal end of the filter. Inaccordance with this aspect of the invention, the vena cava filterincludes a first conical section and a second conical section, with eachof the first and second conical sections forming one of the proximal endor distal end of the filter. Each of the first and second conicalsections taper long the longitudinal axis of the catheter member suchthat an apex of each conical section is generally co-axial with thelongitudinal axis of the catheter member and the catheter member passesthrough a central longitudinal axis, and both apices of the first andsecond conical sections, respectively.

It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide a rapid exchangevena cava filter catheter in which a proximal aspect of the catheter hasa first diameter and a distal aspect of the catheter has a second largerdiameter than the proximal aspect of the catheter.

It is still yet another aspect of the invention to provide a rapidexchange vena cava filter catheter having a rapid exchange guide wireport passing through the distal aspect of the catheter. The rapidexchange guide wire port further includes a seal that permits a guidewire to be passed into and through a central lumen of the catheter, andexit through the rapid exchange guide wire port, while the sealsubstantially seals the rapid exchange guide wire port such thatmedically significant fluid flow does not pass through the rapidexchange guide wire port during use within the body.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide acontrast port medial along a length of the rapid exchange vena cavafilter catheter. The contrast port is positioned in a medial positionalong the length of the rapid exchange vena cava filter catheter inorder to allow for sufficient distance between the contrast port and thevena cava filter member for dispersion of a contrast medium within theblood flow to optimize visualization of the vena cava filter member, anyregion proximal to the filter member, and any thrombus captured by thevena cava filter member.

A further object of the present invention is to configure the medialcontrast port such that a flow of contrast agent out of the contrastport occurs only when the contrast agent is introduced at or above apredetermine pressure, while allowing other fluids introduced below suchthreshold predetermined pressure to pass through the central lumen ofthe catheter system and bypass the contrast port.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing more detailed description of the invention with reference tothe accompanying Figures. In the accompanying Figures, like referencenumerals refer to similar features across multiple embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that whilethe Figures describe the present invention with reference to exemplaryembodiments, the present invention is intended to be limited only by theclaims appended hereto. Moreover, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various features of the invention may be described withreference to one or more embodiments and are intended to be applicableto each embodiment described in the specification and within the scopeof the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rapid exchange vena cava filtercatheter in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a section of theinventive rapid exchange vena cava filter catheter illustrating a rapidexchange guide wire port and a medial contrast port.

FIG. 2B is a fragmentary top view taken from direction of arrow 2B inFIG. 2A and is a section of the inventive rapid exchange vena cavafilter catheter illustrating a rapid exchange guide wire port and amedial contrast port.

FIG. 2C is a fragmentary top view taken from direction of arrow 2C inFIG. 2A and is a section of the inventive rapid exchange vena cavafilter catheter illustrating a rapid exchange guide wire port and amedial contrast port.

FIG. 3A is a side elevational view of a medial contrast port inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a section of the inventive rapid exchange venacava filter catheter with the sheath shown in phantom illustrating therapid exchange guide wire port, the medial contrast port and an in-lineflow restrictor insert within a lumen of the inventive catheter.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rapid exchangeguide wire port of the inventive rapid exchange vena cava filtercatheter.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7A-7C are sequential perspective views depicting a method ofassembling the rapid exchange guidewire port depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8A is a top elevational fragmentary view of a proximal hub of theinventive rapid exchange vena cava filter in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 8B is an exploded perspective view of the proximal hub of the rapidexchange vena cava filter in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a side elevational view of the proximal hub of the inventiverapid exchange vena cava filter catheter in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 9B is a top plan view of the proximal hub of the inventive rapidexchange vena cava filter catheter in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a vena cava filter member of theinventive rapid exchange vena cava filter catheter in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10A-10A of FIG. 10.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10B-10B of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the venacava filter member of the inventive rapid exchange vena cava filtercatheter in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a rapidexchange vena cava filter catheter 100. Rapid exchange vena cava filtercatheter 100 includes generally a vena cava filter member 110 that iscoupled to an elongate member 120, such as an elongate wire 120. Thevena cava filter member 110 is more fully described with reference tocommonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,613,753, 8,668,712, 8,771,226,8,777,977, 8,777,981 and/or 8,808,323, each of which is herebyincorporated by reference. Briefly, the vena cava filter member 110 isformed of a plurality of strut members forming first and second conicalsections of the filter member 110. The first and second conical sectionsdefine proximal and distal ends of the filter member 110. Each of thefirst and second conical sections have a base and an apex, with theapices of each of the first and second conical sections forming one ofthe proximal and distal ends of the filter member 110, with the base ofeach conical section being positioned intermediate the proximal anddistal ends of the filter member 110.

The rapid exchange vena cava filter catheter 100 also includes acatheter sheath member formed from a proximal catheter sheath 114 and adistal catheter sheath 112. At a proximal end of the proximal cathetersheath 114 is provided a proximal hub 116. The catheter sheath memberhas a central longitudinal lumen that extends from and is in fluid flowcommunication with the proximal hub. The central longitudinal lumen ofthe catheter sheath extends to a distal end 119 of the catheter sheathmember and terminates at a distal opening in the distal catheter sheath112. An elongate wire 120 passes through the catheter sheath member andextends at its proximal end from the proximal hub and is coupled nearits distal end to the filter member 110. In another embodiment, theelongate wire 120 may be a tube, including, for example a single lumenor a multi-lumen tube to provide an additional lumen the rapid exchangeor dual lumen design configurations. As used herein, the term elongatewire 120 is intended to encompass a wire or a tube. The elongate wire120 is capable of being longitudinally translated within and through thecatheter sheath member in order to push the filter member 110 out of thedistal end 119 of the catheter sheath member and also retract the filtermember 110 back into the distal end 119 of the catheter sheath member.An atraumatic tip 122 is provided at a very distal end of the elongatewire 120 to facilitate navigation of the rapid exchange vena cava filtercatheter 100 through the vasculature or other anatomic passageway.

A rapid exchange guide wire port 118 is provided in the catheter sheathmember and is positioned generally at the transition between theproximal catheter sheath 114 and the distal catheter sheath 112. Therapid exchange guide wire port 118 permits a guide wire 102 to exit fromthe rapid exchange guide wire port 118.

Each of the first and second conical sections of the filter member 110are asymmetrical relative to each other. For example, a length of thefirst conical section will be either greater than or less than a lengthof the second conical section. Additionally, the number andconfiguration of struts forming the first conical section will bedifferent than the number and configuration of struts forming the secondconical section of the filter member 110. It has been found advantageousto configure the filter member 110 such that whichever of the first andsecond conical sections are oriented toward the direction of fluid flowwithin the body structure, i.e., retrograde relative to the fluid flow,that section have a lower number of struts and interstitial openingsbetween struts in that section be of a relatively larger open surfacearea relative to the other section that is oriented away from thedirection of fluid flow within the body structure, i.e., antegraderelative to the fluid flow. For example, when delivered infra-renalwithin the inferior vena cava by a femoral approach, blood flow is in acephalic direction, i.e., toward the patient's head, thus, the conicalsection of the filter member 110 that tapers toward an apex that isretrograde to the blood flow within the inferior vena cava, i.e.,pointed caudal relative to the patient, will be configured to haveinterstitial spaces relatively larger than the conical section of thefilter member 110 that tapers toward and apex that is antegrade to theblood flow with in the inferior vena cava, i.e., pointed cephalicrelative to the patient, which will be configured to have interstitialspaces that are relatively smaller in order to capture thrombus. FIGS.10 and 11, described in greater detail hereinafter, illustrate thisdescribed configuration and orientation of the filter member 110.

The rapid exchange guide wire port 118 is depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B ingreater detail. As discussed above, the rapid exchange guide wire port118 consists of a large opening in the side wall of the rapid exchangecatheter member. It will be understood that port 118 may be positionedat any longitudinal position along the length of the rapid exchangecatheter member. However, for purposes of illustration and in accordancewith one aspect of the present invention, rapid exchange guide wire port118 is positioned at the transition between the proximal catheter sheathmember 114 and the distal catheter sheath member 112. Proximal cathetersheath member 114 has a transverse diameter D2 that is smaller than atransverse diameter D1 of the distal catheter sheath member 112.Alternatively, the catheter could be configured to have a substantiallyuniform diametric profile along the entire longitudinal length of thedevice depending on geometry required. The port 118 is positioned at thediametric transition between the proximal catheter sheath member 114 andthe distal catheter sheath member 112.

Because of its relatively large open surface area necessitated by itsfunction, the guide wire port 118 must be sealed to prevent undesiredfluid flow out of or into the port 118. In order to seal port 118, aresilient seal 130 is provided within the lumen 113 of the distalcatheter sheath member 114 that seats against a luminal wall surfacesurrounding the rapid exchange guide wire port 118. Resilient seal 130is deformable in order to accommodate passage of a guide wire past theseal and through the port 118 opening, while still providing asubstantially fluid tight seal to reduce or prevent fluids from passingthrough the port 118 opening. Resilient seal 130 preferably has atapered section 134 that projects distally toward the vena cava filtermember 110, yet permits fluid to flow from lumen 113 in the distalcatheter sheath member 112 past or through the resilient seal 130 andinto a second lumen 135 in communication therewith within the proximalcatheter sheath member 114. In accordance with one aspect of theinvention, resilient seal 130 consists of a generally tubular memberthat has a proximal end 132 which is generally cylindrical and capableof being joined to the proximal catheter sheath member 114, and a distalend 134 that has a generally tapered frustroconical shape, taperingdistally and ending in a distal seal opening 138. Alternatively, theresilient seal 130 may have a generally tubular shape with one wallsurface of the seal 130 forming a diametrically enlarged bulge 131toward an intermediate aspect of the seal 130 which then tapers towardthe distal end 134 and opens at distal seal opening 138. Thediametrically enlarged bulge 131 seats against the luminal wall surfaceperimeter rapid exchange guide wire port 118 to seal port 118.

The resilient seal 130 has a seal lumen 135 that is in fluidcommunication at it proximal end 132 with the lumen 115 of the proximalcatheter sheath member 114 and at its distal end 134, distal sealopening 138 is in fluid communication with lumen 113 of the distalcatheter sheath member 112. In this manner, fluid introduced intoproximal lumen 115 will pass through the resilient seal lumen 135 andinto the distal lumen 113 of the distal catheter sheath member 112,without exiting the rapid exchange guide wire port 118.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a resilient seal 200and FIGS. 7A-7C represent a manner in which resilient seal 200 isdisposed within the rapid exchange vena cava filter catheter 100. Inaccordance with the alternative embodiment of resilient seal 200, thereis provided a resilient seal member 210 having a generally tubularcylindrical shape having a seal lumen 235 that passes through theresilient seal member 210 and opens at each end thereof. A proximal end214 of the resilient seal member 210 is configured with an outerdiameter sized to be inserted within and be coupled to an inner diameterof the proximal catheter sheath member 114. Thus, as depicted in FIGS.7A and 7B, a proximal end 214 of the resilient seal member 210 isengaged within the distal end of lumen 115 of the proximal cathetersheath member 114. The proximal end 214 of the resilient seal member 210may be joined to the proximal catheter sheath member 114 by any suitablemethod of creating just coupling, including, without limitation, reflow,thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, interference or suchother means for joining two components of a catheter device as are knownin the art. Once the resilient seal 210 is joined to the proximalcatheter sheath member 114, the distal catheter sheath member 112 may beengaged over the resilient seal 210, such that the guide wire port 118is positioned over a portion of the resilient seal 210, and the distalcatheter sheath member 112 and the proximal catheter sheath member 114are joined by any suitable method of creating just coupling, including,without limitation, reflow, thermal welding, ultrasonic welding,adhesive, interference or such other means for joining two components ofa catheter device as are known in the art.

A distal end 216 of the resilient seal member 210 has a beveled wallsurface 212 that tapers distally toward the vena cava filter member 110forming a guide wire ramp. In this manner, as the vena cava filtercatheter 100 is passed over a guide wire 102, the guide wire 102 passesthrough distal lumen 113 of the distal catheter sheath member 112, andwill be deflected by the beveled wall surface 212 that forms a ramp, theresilient seal 210 will deform to guide the guide wire 102 toward andout the rapid exchange guide wire port 118. In another embodiment, theguide wire ramp may be configured to facilitate guidance of the wirethrough the rapid exchange pathway, such as, for example, by forming abevel or concave profile of the guide wire ramp.

The elongate wire 120 traverses the distal lumen 113 of the distalcatheter sheath member 112, the seal lumen 235 and the proximal lumen115 of the proximal catheter sheath member 114. While not shown in FIG.5 or 6, the resilient seal member 210 may also optionally be employed inconjunction with the contrast port opening 142, sleeve 144 and contrastfluid outlet opening 146 as depicted in and described above withreference to FIGS. 2-3B. Moreover, while not shown in FIG. 5 or 6, theresilient seal member 210 may also optionally be employed in conjunctionwith the flow restrictor member 160 as depicted in and described abovewith reference to FIG. 2. Similarly, while not shown in FIG. 5 or 6, theresilient seal member 210 may also optionally be employed in conjunctionwith all of the contrast port opening 142, sleeve 210, contrast fluidoutlet opening 146, and flow restrictor 160, as depicted in anddescribed above with reference to FIGS. 2-3B.

Optionally, a contrast port 142 is provided in the rapid exchange venacava filter catheter 100. Contrast port 142 may be disposed in a wall ofthe proximal catheter sheath member 114 and communicate with the lumen115 of the proximal catheter member 114. It has been found desirable toposition the contrast port 142 sufficiently proximal the filter member110 so that adequate dispersion of a contrast medium will occur at theposition of the filter member 110 for visualization of the filter 110and its placement, or for visualization of the region proximal to thefilter member. In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of theinvention depicted in FIG. 2, the contrast port 142 is positionedproximal the rapid exchange guide wire port 118 and near a distal end140 of the proximal catheter sheath member 114.

A flow restrictor member 160 having a restrictor lumen 162 mayoptionally be provided and interposed intermediate the contrast port 142and the rapid exchange guide wire port 118. The restrictor lumen 162 isof a smaller diameter relative to the proximal lumen 115 of the proximalcatheter sheath member 114 and is also smaller in diameter relative tothe distal lumen 113 of the distal catheter sheath member 112. In thismanner, flow restrictor member 160 permits regulation of pressures atwhich contrast medium is either emitted from contrast port 142 orpressures at which fluids, including contrast medium, flow through therestrictor lumen 162, through the resilient port seal 130 and throughthe distal lumen 113 of the distal catheter sheath member 112, exitingthe rapid exchange vena cava filter catheter 100 at its distal end 119.It will be appreciated that at higher injection pressures, fluids, suchas contrast medium, will encounter a back pressure exerted by the flowrestrictor member 160 and will flow primarily out of the contrast port142, with a secondary flow passing through restrictor lumen 162 and intothe distal section of the catheter 100. At lower injection pressures,fluid will primarily flow distally through the restrictor lumen 160 andinto the distal section of the catheter 100. It will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the relative diameter and length of therestrictor lumen 160 relative to the diameter of the proximal lumen 115and distal lumen 113 will determine the pressure above which the primaryfluid flow will exit the contrast port 142.

Contrast port 142 may have an opening size dimensioned to regulate theoutflow of contrast medium there through. However, in order tofacilitate dispersion of the contrast medium in the blood flow, it hasbeen found desirable to sheath the contrast port 118 with a sleeve 144that circumferentially covers the proximal catheter sheath member 114and covers the contrast port, while allowing a fluid flow channel 150between an inner surface of the sleeve 144 and the outer surface of theproximal catheter sheath member 114. A contrast fluid outlet opening 146is provided in the sleeve 144 and is spaced apart from the contrast port142. One example is to position the contrast fluid outlet opening 146180 degrees opposite from the contrast port 142 about thecircumferential axis of the catheter sheath member 114. This positionallows for the contrast medium to flow bidirectionally about the entirecircumference of the catheter sheath member 114. Where the contrastfluid outlet opening 146 is formed as a slot oriented parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the catheter sheath member 114, the contrast mediumwill flow out of the contrast fluid outlet opening 146 in asubstantially laminar flow. The contrast fluid outlet opening 146 may bea single or plural circumferentially oriented slots, helical slots,longitudinally oriented slots, circular openings, polygonal openings, orother shaped openings as are appropriate to provide for dispersion of acontrast medium as it is released from the contrast port 142.

The sleeve 144 is preferably joined to the vena cava filter catheter 100at proximal and distal aspects of the sleeve 144, leaving the fluid flowchannel 150 in an unjoined intermediate aspect of the sleeve 144 thatoverlays the contrast port 142 and is in fluid communication with thecontrast fluid outlet opening 146.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the elongate wire 120 traverses theproximal lumen 115 of the proximal catheter sheath member 114, passesthrough the flow restrictor lumen 162, if the flow restrictor member 160is present, through the lumen 135 of the resilient seal 130 and theninto the distal lumen 113 of the distal catheter sheath member 115. Asnoted above, the proximal end of vena cava filter member 110 is coupledto the distal end of the elongate wire 120.

Turning now to FIGS. 8A to 9C, a proximal hub 300 in accordance with thepresent invention is illustrated. The proximal hub 300 forms theproximal end of the rapid exchange vena cava catheter 100 and is theproximal terminus of the proximal catheter sheath member 114 and theelongate wire 120. The proximal hub 300 also provides fluid access forfluid injection into the proximal lumen 115 of the proximal cathetersheath member 114.

The proximal hub 300 includes first section 310 and a second section 320that cooperate with each other. The first section 310, which ispreferably a distal section of the proximal hub 300, is formed of ahousing 311 having a first channel 312 and a second channel 314. Firstchannel 312 has a receiving section 315 in a distal portion of the firstchannel 312 and a proximal section 317. A proximal end of the proximalcatheter sheath member 114 engages and seats within the receivingsection 315 of the first channel 312 and is in fluid flow communicationwith the proximal section 317. The proximal lumen 115 of the proximalcatheter sheath member 114 is in fluid flow communication with theproximal section 317 of the first channel 312. The second channel 314has a proximal receiving section 319 and a distal section 321. Anextension line 316 engages and seats within the proximal receivingsection 319 and is in fluid flow communication with the distal section321 of the second channel 314. Distal section 321 of the second channel314 joins in fluid flow communication with the distal section 317 of thefirst channel 312.

It has been found desirable that the first channel 312 be co-axial witha central longitudinal axis L of the proximal hub 300 and that thesecond channel 314 be angularly displaced from the central longitudinalaxis L by an angle α. Angle α is preferably greater than 0 and less thanor equal to 90 degrees, preferably between 15 and 45 degrees from thecentral longitudinal axis L.

The first housing 310 further includes a seating recess 350 thataccommodates a hemostatic seal seating member 352 therein. Seatingrecess 350 is co-axial with the central longitudinal axis L and has abore 354 in fluid communication with the proximal section 317 of thefirst channel 312. Seating recess 350 has a generally annular shape andhas a proximal receiving recess 356 in a proximal aspect of the seatingrecess 350. Bore 354 tapers proximally and opens to the proximalreceiving recess 356.

There is also provided a hemostatic sealing member 340 that has a distalprojection 342 and a sealing member 345 interfacing between the distalprojection 342 and the proximal receiving recess 356 of the seatingrecess 350 in the first housing 310. The hemostatic sealing member 340further has a bore 344 passing through the hemostatic sealing member 340and through the distal projection 242 that communicates with bore 354 inthe seating recess. Finally, hemostatic sealing member 340 furtherincludes an engagement section 348 having enlarged receiving bore 346 ina proximal aspect of the hemostatic sealing member 340 that communicateswith the bore 344.

Finally, the first section 310 includes at least one, preferably two,apertures 311 for securing the proximal hub 300 to the patient. In theillustrated embodiment in FIGS. 8A-9C, apertures 311 are present insuture wings that project outwardly from the first section 310.

The second section 320 removably engages with the first section 310,such as by a threaded connection or a luer-type connection. Secondsection 320 is rotatably connected with a distal end of the elongatewire 120 (not shown in FIG. 8A), such as by a swage fitting. Secondsection 320 includes a rotatable cap housing 322 that removably couplesto the first section 310, such as by engagement and disengagement withthe engagement section 348 of the hemostatic sealing member 340. Thedistal end of the elongate wire 120 is connected within a wire bore 332in a connecting fitting 330. Connecting fitting 330 is rotatably coupledto the rotatable cap housing 322, such that rotational movement of therotatable cap housing 322 does not translate rotational forces to theconnecting fitting 330 or to the elongate wire 120, but rather permitsrotational coupling and decoupling of the rotatable cap housing 322 fromthe first section 310 of the proximal hub 300 and then allows forlongitudinal translation of the elongate wire 120, the rotatable caphousing 322 and the connecting fitting 330 relative to the first section310. It will be understood that this longitudinal translation of theelongate wire 120 serves to push the vena cava filter member 110 coupledto the distal end of the elongate wire 120 out of the distal end 119 ofthe distal catheter sheath member 112 and also to retrieve the vena cavafilter member 110 within the distal end 119 of the distal cathetersheath member 112.

In accordance with one embodiment of the proximal hub 300, the firstsection 310 and the seating recess 350 may optionally be fabricated ofpliant or resilient materials. In this embodiment, proximal hub 300 mayhave resilient or pliant opposing first and second surfaces 315, 317,respectively. By fabricating the seating recess 350 of a pliant orresilient material, bore 354 may be dimensioned to bear against theelongate wire 120 and exert a pressure that creates drag when theelongate wire 120 is translated through the bore 354. Deformation of theseating recess 350 will deform the bore 354 and release some of thepressure bearing against the elongate wire 120. In use, the medicalpractitioner may depress first and second surfaces 315, 317 to deformthe first section 310 and the seating recess 350 therein, therebydeforming the bore 354 surrounding the elongate wire 120 passing therethrough and releasing pressure by the bore 354 bearing against theelongate wire 120 to allow for smoother longitudinal translation of theelongate wire 120 through the proximal hub 300.

One embodiment of the filter member 110 is illustrated in itsdiametrically expanded configuration in FIG. 10. In this embodiment,filter member 110 consists of a plurality of strut members 12 arrangedto form a first generally conical end 18 and a second generally conicalend 20 of the filter member 110. The plurality of strut members 12define wall surfaces of the filter member 110 and delineate a firstspace 22 and a second space 24 within the filter member 110 forcapturing thrombus sequestered from the circulating blood flow by atleast some of the plurality of strut members 12.

In addition to forming a first generally conical end 18 and a secondgenerally conical end 20, optionally, some of the plurality of strutmembers 12 may be arranged to form an intermediate section 16 of thesecond generally conical end 20 of the filter member 110. Theintermediate section 16 is characterized by having interstitial openings19 that are smaller relative to the interstitial openings 15 of thefirst generally conical end 18 or the interstitial openings 13 of thesecond generally conical end 20.

The first generally conical end 18 may form either the proximal or thedistal end of the filter member 110 depending upon the orientation ofthe filter on the catheter and the anatomical approach for which therapid exchange vena cava filter catheter 100 is intended, e.g., femoralor jugular. In forming the first generally conical end 18, a pluralityof first strut members 62, for example three, are coupled at theirproximal end to the proximal end 18 of filter member 110 and eachextends distally relative to the longitudinal axis of the rapid exchangevena cava catheter 100. Each of the first strut members 62 is anelongate member that projects away from the central longitudinal axis ofthe catheter 100 and terminates in a distal end section 63 that definesa base of the first generally conical end 18. A plurality of secondstrut members 64 extend from a distal end of the second generallyconical end and extend proximally form a distal end of are coupled attheir distal end to the distal end 20 of filter member 110 and eachextends proximally relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter100. A plurality of third strut members 66 form the intermediate section26, if present, and at least some of the plurality of third strutmembers 66 are joined at their distal ends to a proximal end of at leastsome of the plurality of second strut members 64, and at least some ofthe plurality of third strut members 66 are joined at their proximalends a distal end of at least some of the plurality of first strutmembers 62. A hoop member 70, which may be formed from some of theplurality of third strut members 66, extends circumferentially to definea circumferential axis of the filter member 110 and has a series ofcontinuous undulations defining a series of peaks 75 and valleys 77about the circumference of filter member 110. Each of the plurality offirst strut members 62, the plurality of second strut members 64 and theplurality of third strut members 66 are coupled to the hoop member 70 atdifferent points about its circumferential axis and intermediate theproximal end 18 and the distal end 20 of the filter member 110.

The plurality of first strut members 62 are preferably evenly offsetfrom each other. For example, where three first strut members 62 areemployed, each will be offset by approximately 120 degrees about thecircumference of the filter member 110. The plurality of second strutmembers 64 are also preferably evenly offset from each other. Thus, forexample, if twelve second strut members are employed, each will beoffset by approximately thirty degrees about the circumference of thefilter member 110.

It will be understood that each of the plurality of first strut members62, plurality of second strut members 64, plurality of third strutmembers 66 and the hoop member 70 are preferably fabricated ofbiocompatible materials, such as shape memory alloys, superelasticmaterials or elastic materials, including, without limitation, titanium,vanadium, aluminum, nickel, tantalum, zirconium, chromium, silver, gold,silicon, magnesium, niobium, scandium, platinum, cobalt, palladium,manganese, molybdenum and alloys thereof, such aszirconium-titanium-tantalum alloys, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys,nitinol, and stainless steel.

FIGS. 10-10B and 11-13 illustrate two alternate attachments of thefilter member 410, 510 to the elongate wire 120. In each embodiment, thefilter member 410, 510 is attached to a distal end of the elongate wire210 by means of an attachment tube 40. A filter attachment member 30,such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,808,323, which is herebyincorporated by reference, is employed to couple the filter member 410,510 to the attachment tube 40.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10-10C, attachment tube 40 has a guide wirelumen 27 that extends from a distal end of the attachment tube 40 andpasses through the atraumatic tip 122. Guide wire lumen 27 terminatesproximal to the filter attachment member 30 in the guide wire port 118.A second lumen 29 is provided in the attachment tube 40 that extends andopens to a proximal end of the attachment tube 40. The distal end of theelongate wire 120 is received within the second lumen 29 and theelongate wire 120 is secured therein. The guide wire port 118 alignswith a port 118 a disposed on the distal catheter sheath 114 when thefilter member 110 is in contracted state.

Like with filter 410, and as illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, filter 510 isalso coupled to a filter attachment tube 40. In this embodiment,however, filter attachment tube 40 has a guide wire lumen that passesalong an entire longitudinal length of the filter attachment tube 40 andopens distally at the atraumatic tip 122 and proximally at the proximalend of the filter attachment tube 40. Like with filter 410, a secondlumen 29 is provided in the attachment tube 40 that extends and opens toa proximal end of the attachment tube 40. The distal end of the elongatewire 120 is received within the second lumen 29 and the elongate wire120 is secured therein.

It is contemplated that the elongate wire 120 may be made of anysuitably biocompatible metal, such as nickel-titanium alloy,chromium-molybdenum alloy, stainless steel or the like. The elongatewire 120 may optionally be reinforced with a winding of another metalwire or may be coated with a polymer and/or a bioactive agent, such asan antithrombotic agent. It is further contemplated that the proximaland distal catheter sheaths 114, 112, may be made of any suitablybiocompatible polymer, such as polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene,polyether block amide (PEBAX®, Arkema, Paris, France), and may alsooptionally be coated or covered with another polymer and/or a bioactiveagent, such as an antithrombotic agent. It is also contemplated that thevena cava filter member 110, 410, 510 may be made of any suitablybiocompatible metal or polymer, as are known in the art. Finally, theattachment tube 40 may be made of any suitably biocompatible metal, suchas nickel-titanium alloy or polyether block amide (PEBAX®, Arkema,Paris, France).

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoingdescription of the inventive rapid exchange vena cava filter catheter ismade with reference to exemplary embodiments only. Such exemplaryembodiments are not intended to be, nor should be construed to belimiting of the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vena cava filter catheter system, comprising: acatheter member having a proximal section and a distal section and alumen passing through the catheter member; a first opening passingthrough an outer wall of the catheter member, the first openingpositioned intermediate the proximal section and the distal section ofthe catheter member; a resilient seal disposed within the lumen of thecatheter member and movably covering the first opening, the resilientseal being configured to accept a guidewire to pass through the firstopening and into the lumen of the catheter member; an elongate wirepassing through the catheter member; and an expandable vena cava filtermember fixedly coupled to a distal end of the elongate wire, theexpandable vena cava filter member having a collapsed state when withinthe distal section of the catheter member and an expanded state whenoutside the lumen of the catheter member, the expandable vena cavafilter member being released from and retrieved into the lumen bylongitudinal translation of the elongate wire within the cathetermember.
 2. The vena cava filter system of claim 1, further comprising asecond opening passing through the outer wall of the catheter member,the second opening being positioned proximal to a distal end of thecatheter member, wherein the second opening is configured to permit acontrast agent to be released therefrom.
 3. The vena cava filter systemof claim 2, further comprising a sleeve member having a third opening,the sleeve member being circumferentially joined about the distal end ofthe catheter member such that a proximal and distal end of the sleevemember are coupled to the catheter member, leaving an uncoupledintermediate section of the sleeve member covering the second opening ofthe catheter member.
 4. The vena cava filter system of claim 3, furthercomprising a flow restrictor member positioned within the catheterremember proximal to the second opening.
 5. The vena cava filter systemof claim 4, wherein the flow restrictor member further comprises agenerally cylindrical member having a central bore, the central borehaving a diameter less than a diameter of the lumen of the cathetermember.
 6. The vena cava filter system of claim 1, wherein the firstopening further comprises a rapid exchange guide wire port configured asan elongate opening having a distal opening and a proximal opening, thedistal opening being larger relative to the proximal opening; whereinthe distal opening has a circumferential extent relative to thecircumference of the catheter member that is greater than thecircumferential extent of the proximal opening.
 7. The vena cava filtersystem of claim 1, wherein a proximal section of the resilient sealmember is joined within the distal section of the catheter member; andwherein a circumferential portion of a distal section of the resilientseal member abuts a luminal aspect of and movably seals the firstopening in the catheter member.
 8. The vena cava filter system of claim1, wherein the first opening in the second catheter member furthercomprises a rapid exchange guide wire port and the rapid exchange guidewire port comprises an elongate opening having a generally larger distalopening and a generally smaller proximal opening.
 9. The vena cavafilter system of claim 1, further comprising a proximal hub having atleast two ports operably coupled to a proximal end of the cathetermember, a first of the at least two ports being in fluid flowcommunication with the lumen of the catheter member, and a second of theat least two ports accommodating the elongate wire passing therethrough.
 10. The vena cava filter system of claim 9, wherein theproximal hub further comprises a hemostasis seal in the second of the atleast two ports accommodating the elongate wire.
 11. The vena cavafilter system of claim 10, wherein the hemostasis seal further comprisesa resilient seal through which the elongate wire passes.
 12. The venacava filter system of claim 10, wherein the hemostasis seal furthercomprises a channel in the proximal hub through which the elongate wirepasses and contacts walls of the channel to provide a hemostasis sealabout the elongate wire; and wherein proximal hub is at least partiallymade of a resilient material and the channel is configured to open upondeformation of the resilient material and release substantial contactbetween the walls of the channel and the elongate wire.